Display

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S features a 5" 720p IPS screen, the same size and resolution available on the original Redmi 3, for a pixel density of 294ppi. That's near Retina-grade, enough for crisp images and sharp text.

Taking a closer look at it under our digital microscope reveals a standard RGB arrangement of the sub-pixels that make up the Xiaomi Redmi 3S LCD panel.

Unfortunately, there is still no information on the protective coating, and there is a good chance it doesn't have any enhanced scratch-resistance.

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S achieved a bit lower maximum brightness compared to its Redmi 3 predecessor - 489nits vs. 520 nits. At the lowest level, the screen is not that dim at 13nits, which is a bit disappointing.

The black levels are OK for an LCD panel and, combined with the relatively high brightness, the Redmi 3S achieved a respectable contrast of 1087:1.

Display test

100% brightness

Black, cd/m2

White, cd/m2

Contrast ratio

Xiaomi Redmi 3S

0.45

489

1087

Xiaomi Redmi 3

0.42

520

1238

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro

0.49

561

1145

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)

0.00

331

∞

Lenovo Vibe K5

0.53

426

804

Sony Xperia E5

0.43

540

1243

Meizu m3 note

0.52

425

816

Xiaomi Redmi 2

0.58

561

974

Oppo F1s

0.45

420

933

With an average deviation (DeltaE) of 5.5 the screen's color accuracy is about average. The colors are punchy, but if you want a more color accurate representation you may want to try the Warm Color option - it changes the color calibration to a perfectly balanced one with an average DeltaE of 2.9.

Outdoors, the Xiaomi Redmi 3S is an above average performer regarding sunlight legibility. The glass on top of the display is reflective, but most of the time you'll have no problem viewing the screen content.

Sunlight contrast ratio

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+4.615

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge4.439

OnePlus 34.424

Samsung Galaxy S74.376

HTC One A94.274

Samsung Galaxy Note74.247

Samsung Galaxy A34.241

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge4.124

Samsung Galaxy Note54.09

Huawei Nexus 6P4.019

Vivo Xplay5 Elite3.983

OnePlus X3.983

Oppo R7s3.964

Apple iPhone 73.964

Huawei P9 Plus3.956

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)3.918

Samsung Galaxy C53.911

Samsung Galaxy C73.896

Samsung Galaxy A53.895

Samsung Galaxy J7 outdoor3.879

Samsung Galaxy J2 outdoor3.873

Samsung Galaxy A83.859

Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016)3.817

Motorola Moto X (2014)3.816

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) outdoor mode3.802

Xiaomi Redmi Pro3.798

LG V20 Max auto3.798

Sony Xperia XZ3.795

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016)3.789

Apple iPhone 6s3.783

Meizu Pro 53.781

Microsoft Lumia 6503.772

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016)3.756

Oppo F1 Plus3.709

Vivo X5Pro3.706

Sony Xperia X Compact3.694

Apple iPhone SE3.681

Samsung Galaxy A73.679

Meizu PRO 63.659

BlackBerry Priv3.645

Apple iPhone 6s Plus3.53

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) outdoor mode3.523

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)3.523

Acer Jade Primo3.521

Microsoft Lumia 9503.512

Oppo R7 Plus3.499

Samsung Galaxy J73.422

Meizu MX53.416

LG V203.402

Oppo R73.32

Xiaomi Mi 53.24

Samsung Galaxy J23.235

Sony Xperia X Performance3.234

Motorola Moto X Play3.222

Huawei P93.195

Lenovo Vibe Shot3.113

Motorola Moto X Force3.105

LG Nexus 5X3.092

Huawei Mate S3.073

Microsoft Lumia 640 XL3.065

Apple iPhone 6 Plus3.023

Sony Xperia X2.989

Samsung Galaxy Note2.97

Huawei Mate 82.949

Xiaomi Redmi 3S2.913

Sony Xperia XA Ultra2.906

LG G52.905

HTC One S2.901

Sony Xperia Z52.876

Microsoft Lumia 5502.851

Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro2.803

Sony Xperia Z5 compact2.784

LG V102.744

Xiaomi Redmi 32.735

Sony Xperia M52.69

Huawei P9 Lite2.679

Vivo V3Max2.659

Xiaomi Mi 4i2.641

Sony Xperia XA2.609

Xiaomi Mi 4c2.574

LeEco Le Max 22.567

Microsoft Lumia 6402.563

Lenovo Moto G42.544

Oppo F12.528

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium2.525

Huawei Honor 7 Lite / Honor 5c2.506

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua2.503

Oppo F1s2.481

Motorola Moto G2.477

Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus2.473

Huawei G82.471

Huawei nova2.467

Sony Xperia Z2.462

Lenovo Vibe K52.459

Huawei Honor 72.406

Sony Xperia E52.386

ZUK Z1 by Lenovo2.382

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)2.378

HTC 102.378

Huawei nova plus2.329

HTC One E9+2.305

Alcatel One Touch Hero2.272

Apple iPhone 4S2.269

Lenovo Vibe K4 Note2.254

Sony Xperia C5 Ultra2.253

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (MediaTek)2.249

Sony Xperia C4 Dual2.235

Xiaomi Mi Note2.234

Motorola Moto G (2014)2.233

LG Nexus 52.228

Huawei P82.196

Xiaomi Redmi Note 22.166

OnePlus Two2.165

HTC One X2.158

LG Aka2.145

Archos 50 Diamond2.134

Xiaomi Redmi Note2.119

Xiaomi Mi 4S2.095

Acer Liquid X22.084

Huawei P8lite2.078

Moto G 3rd gen max manual2.026

Xiaomi Mi Max1.996

Sony Xperia E4g1.972

OnePlus One1.961

Meizu m3 note1.923

BlackBerry Leap1.892

Meizu m2 note1.892

HTC Butterfly1.873

ZTE Nubia Z9 mini1.759

Sony Xperia U1.758

Asus Zenfone Selfie1.68

Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen)1.675

ZTE Nubia Z91.659

Jolla Jolla1.605

Motorola Moto E1.545

Sony Xperia M1.473

Xiaomi Redmi 21.311

HTC Desire C1.3

Sony Xperia C1.283

Meizu MX1.221

Sony Xperia E1.215

Battery life

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S is powered by a 4,100mAh battery which is a serious power pack for a 5" device. It's also of the same capacity as the original Redmi 3.

We ran our battery test, and the Xiaomi Redmi 3S scored a 104h rating, which means you can count on the battery to last four days and then some if you do an hour each of calling, web browsing and video playback a day.

The endurance rating is about the same achieved by the Redmi 3 and 3 Pro which is about right. If you want to use the phone with two SIM cards, you'll get the same endurance.

The battery testing procedure is described in detail in case you're interested in the nitty-gritties. You can also check out our complete battery test table, where you can see how all of the smartphones we've tested will compare under your own typical use.

Connectivity

The Xiaomi Redmi 3S supports LTE connectivity, and you can tap to an LTE network on either SIM, but once you do, the second one will be limited to GSM connectivity only. As for that, the Redmi 3S also offers tri-band GSM connectivity. There is quad-band 3G connectivity with HSPA support.

The rest of the connectivity features include single-band Wi-Fi b/g/n/ support and Wi-Fi Direct. There is also support for Bluetooth 4.1, GPS with GLONASS and Beidou, plus an FM radio.

The IR blaster is located on the top and coupled with the right software, it can be used to operate almost any remotely controlled home appliance, turning the Xiaomi Redmi 3S into a universal remote. Xiaomi provides its MiRemote app right out of the box.